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Post by teri on Apr 23, 2011 14:32:38 GMT
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Post by GrumpyPony on Apr 23, 2011 14:47:31 GMT
Oh I am so sorry  Things like this are the worst part of owning an animal *hugs* |
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Post by ladywell on Apr 23, 2011 14:49:10 GMT
Hi - I am sorry about your news. On the plus side - dogs (and cats) cope very well when they lose a limb. My old vet - many years ago - told me they have three legs and a spare - meaning that they will cope when they lose a limb. Also, because they have no concept of what is happening to them, unlike we humans they do not worry about getting better. On the down side - talk to your vet about the chances of the tumour spreading if they operate. It would be awful to put her through a traumatic op and then find that it has accelerated the cancer.
Only you can make the hard decision. I personally would go for palliative care and make the most of the time you have with Jade.
Sending hugs and lots luck to you.
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Post by teri on Apr 23, 2011 14:49:34 GMT
Thank you! Yes you are so right, Never realised how much I depend on her, she is my girl and has been through so much with me, can't bear to be without her just want to make right decision
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janet
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Post by janet on Apr 23, 2011 14:58:22 GMT
I know how you feel, I lost my best friend 4 weeks ago, she was only 4yrs old and had a brain tumour and I had to have her pts she was a french bulldog,
I have had an english bull terrier who had to have chemo as she had leukemia, but she seemed okay on it but died in her basket of a heart attack at 8 years old!
If I had to make the decision you have to I would have her pts , it is very hard and everyone has to do the best they think, but an amputation and chemo is a lot to ask, best of luck , love jane xx
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supes
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Post by supes on Apr 23, 2011 15:00:11 GMT
Oh god how awful! She is absolutely beautiful too and clearly adored!
I really don`t know what to say to you as I think it has to be your decision as you know her better than anyone and how well she will cope with the different options open to her, what I can say though is that animals are remarkably resilient and are much more able to cope with the loss of limbs etc than we are and I think you would find in no time that she would be up and running about as usual! I lost my baby in September so know exactly what you are going through at the moment, my Jazzy was diagnosed last April with diabetes and were told we could either have her pts or begin treatment, like your baby, my Jazzy wasn`t ready to leave us then and we certainly weren`t ready to let her go, so we went for treatment, Jazz went blind very quickly (which can be a side effect of diabetes) but after a couple of days of `bumping into things` in no time she was running around the farm as if she had full vision again and running in and out of the house and we were able to enjoy a further nearly 6 months with her until sadly we lost her through the vets negligence, but we didn`t regret giving her that extra time as she wasn`t a poorly dog until the end and given the same situation again I know I would opt for keeping my baby with me for as long as possible providing she wasn`t suffering ;-)
I think you need to ask your vet (if you haven`t already done so) what her prognosis is after amputation, also without amputation how well could the pain be controlled and for how long and make your decisions from there?
It`s not an easy decision to make and I don`t envy you one bit, but know just how much it hurts (I`m still not over losing my Jazzy and don`t think I ever will be) and am sending you and your baby all my love and best wishes...if you want to pm me please do so if you want to chat as I really do understand how you are feeling.
Big hugs to you and your special girl (((( ))))
Debs xx
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Post by teri on Apr 23, 2011 15:10:44 GMT
I know how you feel, I lost my best friend 4 weeks ago, she was only 4yrs old and had a brain tumour and I had to have her pts she was a french bulldog, I have had an english bull terrier who had to have chemo as she had leukemia, but she seemed okay on it but died in her basket of a heart attack at 8 years old! If I had to make the decision you have to I would have her pts , it is very hard and everyone has to do the best they think, but an amputation and chemo is a lot to ask, best of luck , love jane xx Thank you, so sorry about your baby that is so awful and she was so young!! xx. I am worried about the chemo prob more than the amputation I have read they do adjust very well. Just want to make sure the rest of her time with me is happy and pain free. xx |
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Post by teri on Apr 23, 2011 15:15:27 GMT
Oh god how awful! She is absolutely beautiful too and clearly adored! I really don`t know what to say to you as I think it has to be your decision as you know her better than anyone and how well she will cope with the different options open to her, what I can say though is that animals are remarkably resilient and are much more able to cope with the loss of limbs etc than we are and I think you would find in no time that she would be up and running about as usual! I lost my baby in September so know exactly what you are going through at the moment, my Jazzy was diagnosed last April with diabetes and were told we could either have her pts or begin treatment, like your baby, my Jazzy wasn`t ready to leave us then and we certainly weren`t ready to let her go, so we went for treatment, Jazz went blind very quickly (which can be a side effect of diabetes) but after a couple of days of `bumping into things` in no time she was running around the farm as if she had full vision again and running in and out of the house and we were able to enjoy a further nearly 6 months with her until sadly we lost her through the vets negligence, but we didn`t regret giving her that extra time as she wasn`t a poorly dog until the end and given the same situation again I know I would opt for keeping my baby with me for as long as possible providing she wasn`t suffering ;-) I think you need to ask your vet (if you haven`t already done so) what her prognosis is after amputation, also without amputation how well could the pain be controlled and for how long and make your decisions from there? It`s not an easy decision to make and I don`t envy you one bit, but know just how much it hurts (I`m still not over losing my Jazzy and don`t think I ever will be) and am sending you and your baby all my love and best wishes...if you want to pm me please do so if you want to chat as I really do understand how you are feeling. Big hugs to you and your special girl (((( )))) Debs xx Oh Debs I am so sorry!! I can tell you are so similar to me in the way you felt about your girl. Jade is so young at heart and I belive she will tell me when the time is right. We are back at the vets tuesday to discuss options further, I belive she would adjust well to three legs but her dysplasia worries me, so scared that it will put too much pressure on her back legs, at the same time if we don't try we will never know! It really is tearing me up what ever decision I make I will be so scared it was the wrong one  |
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Post by brindlerainbow on Apr 23, 2011 15:38:21 GMT
How heartbreaking for you  Only you will know the right decision to make. My wonderful Boxer Millie got GME ( a horrible illness ) Vet said she could have another year on steroids which I agreed to, she was still so young at heart ( she was 9 ) but she couldnt do the things that she loved like running flat out and bouncing around so I had her PTS a week after diagnosis and it broke my heart but I know I did the right thing |
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Post by lucretia on Apr 23, 2011 17:29:02 GMT
sorry to hear about your beautiful dog. My friend's doberman had a leg amputated and was fine- didnt seem to affect her at all. She didn't have the chemo though as it was due to an accident, so that I think will affect your decision. As everyone alse says I would be guided by your vet. Lots of love to you both xxxx
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Post by bow1607 on Apr 23, 2011 17:38:16 GMT
So sorry xxxx shes a lovely girl and what a great photo xxx
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Post by suzee on Apr 23, 2011 18:19:29 GMT
Our old Vet gave this advice to people having to make the hardest decision,think of the wonderfull time you have had together irrespective of how long that may be,then consider the future for your beloved pet what is best for them. best wishes
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Post by sageandonion on Apr 23, 2011 20:26:29 GMT
This is dreadful, she is such a beautiful dog and obviously your special precious.
I don't have dogs and each one is different anyway, so can't offer any advice. I think deep down you will know what is the best thing for Jade, you are her mum. Whatever you decide will be the right thing to do.
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Post by caron on Apr 23, 2011 21:40:55 GMT
I absolutely know what you are going through We lost our 8yo dog last week who had exactly the same thing and we were given the same options that you have been given, but I think it had already spread as she quickly became very ill very quickly and I am happy that we made the right decision to pts when we did. We also lost a 4yo belgian shepherd 4 years ago to bone tumour on her vertebra. Your doggy looks a sweetheart, I don't envy you at all having to make this decision |
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Post by heath on Apr 25, 2011 16:07:00 GMT
This is probably not what you want to hear but we lost our beloved dog a few weeks ago with the same thing. We came down in the morning to find him very lame having eaten up etc the night before and got him straight to the vets. They gave him massive pain killers and told us that if it didnt settle down in a few days to bring him back and they would scan it. We got home and had to go to the dentists. An hour later we got back to find him much worse. His leg was now swinging from the shoulder and I have seen enough horses with broken legs to know it was broken. Went stright back to the vets and scan confirmed it was a bone tumour that ha d pressed on his shoulder and shattered it so we did the right thing.
Please dont leave it too long in case the same thing happens. If you suspect anything altering get straight back to the vets.
Its so awful but we owe it to them but we went from a well dog to that within hours. The only thing I can say was he didnt suffer for too long but hes left a huge gap in our lives!
Best of luck, hope its good news for you, but be brave for him if its not.
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Post by bernie1956 on Apr 25, 2011 21:51:59 GMT
So sorry...I hope you have some good options tomorrow....but here is my "comfort poem" anyway...
If it should be
If it should be I grow frail and weak,
And pain should wake me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle can’t be won.
You will be sad, I understand,
Don’t let your grief then stay your hand,
For this day more than all the rest
Your love and friendship stand the test.
We’ve had so many happy years,
What is to come will hold no fears,
You’ll not want me to suffer, so,
When the time comes, please let me go,
I know in time you too will see,
It is kindness you do to me,
Although my tail it’s last has waved,
From pain and suffering I’ve been saved,
Do not grieve that it should be you,
Who has to decide this thing to do,
We’ve been so close, we two, these years,
Don’t let your heart hold any tears.
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Post by heath on Apr 26, 2011 8:17:49 GMT
Bernie, that is lovely, thank you xx
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Post by teri on Apr 26, 2011 9:39:13 GMT
How heartbreaking for you Only you will know the right decision to make. My wonderful Boxer Millie got GME ( a horrible illness ) Vet said she could have another year on steroids which I agreed to, she was still so young at heart ( she was 9 ) but she couldnt do the things that she loved like running flat out and bouncing around so I had her PTS a week after diagnosis and it broke my heart but I know I did the right thing Bless you, I belive you know when the time is right, as you did with Millie. I am counting on Jade letting me know. I know for sure she is not ready to go yet, had a wonderful easter with her and she was so full of life and so happy even with her poorly leg. RIP Millie xx |
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Post by teri on Apr 26, 2011 9:41:43 GMT
sorry to hear about your beautiful dog. My friend's doberman had a leg amputated and was fine- didnt seem to affect her at all. She didn't have the chemo though as it was due to an accident, so that I think will affect your decision. As everyone alse says I would be guided by your vet. Lots of love to you both xxxx Thank you! I have really looked into how a larger dog would cope with three legs and near on everthing I have read says how well they adapt. My concern is Jade's back legs arn't 100 percent so I need to discuss this with the vet tonight. So glad your friends Dobbie was ok, my Dobbie is a scatter brain, don't know how he will cope without Jade either xx |
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Post by brindlerainbow on Apr 26, 2011 9:43:01 GMT
Thankyou Teri  I miss Millie every day My daughter had a wonderful set of 3 watercolour paintings done of her for me for christmas and they hang next to the sofa,so she is next to me again |
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Post by teri on Apr 26, 2011 9:43:49 GMT
So sorry xxxx shes a lovely girl and what a great photo xxx Thank you! Yes she is so lovely, The leather sofa she is on used to be MY sofa but the dogs took over it and killed it, Hense all the stuffing hanging out! Just brought them a new sofa, they think they are human and just wont sleep on the floor  |
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Post by teri on Apr 26, 2011 9:44:57 GMT
Our old Vet gave this advice to people having to make the hardest decision,think of the wonderfull time you have had together irrespective of how long that may be,then consider the future for your beloved pet what is best for them. best wishes Thanks Suzee. Very true words,at least we can do what is best for our animals, they don't have to suffer like so many human do! xx |
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Post by teri on Apr 26, 2011 9:46:48 GMT
This is dreadful, she is such a beautiful dog and obviously your special precious. I don't have dogs and each one is different anyway, so can't offer any advice. I think deep down you will know what is the best thing for Jade, you are her mum. Whatever you decide will be the right thing to do. Thank you for the lovely words S&O, I really hope i do make the right decison for Jade xx |
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Post by teri on Apr 26, 2011 9:48:23 GMT
I absolutely know what you are going through We lost our 8yo dog last week who had exactly the same thing and we were given the same options that you have been given, but I think it had already spread as she quickly became very ill very quickly and I am happy that we made the right decision to pts when we did. We also lost a 4yo belgian shepherd 4 years ago to bone tumour on her vertebra. Your doggy looks a sweetheart, I don't envy you at all having to make this decision Bless your heart, I am so sorry, I can easily belive how quick it spreads, one min Jade was normal the next she had this huge growth within a matter of weeks it came up! Big hugs to you! xx |
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Post by teri on Apr 26, 2011 9:52:30 GMT
This is probably not what you want to hear but we lost our beloved dog a few weeks ago with the same thing. We came down in the morning to find him very lame having eaten up etc the night before and got him straight to the vets. They gave him massive pain killers and told us that if it didnt settle down in a few days to bring him back and they would scan it. We got home and had to go to the dentists. An hour later we got back to find him much worse. His leg was now swinging from the shoulder and I have seen enough horses with broken legs to know it was broken. Went stright back to the vets and scan confirmed it was a bone tumour that ha d pressed on his shoulder and shattered it so we did the right thing. Please dont leave it too long in case the same thing happens. If you suspect anything altering get straight back to the vets. Its so awful but we owe it to them but we went from a well dog to that within hours. The only thing I can say was he didnt suffer for too long but hes left a huge gap in our lives! Best of luck, hope its good news for you, but be brave for him if its not. How awful for you! My heart really goes out to you, at least he is no longer in pain, RIP Little one. I have read how week the tumour becomes, apparently it eats away the bone and replaces it with the tumour, the tumour is very week and easily breaks, I am suprised Jades has not broken, up untill we knew what she has she was jumping in and out of my Shogun, she is very lucky it did not shatter. Back to vets tonight to decide where to go from here xx |
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Post by teri on Apr 26, 2011 9:55:51 GMT
So sorry...I hope you have some good options tomorrow....but here is my "comfort poem" anyway... If it should be If it should be I grow frail and weak, And pain should wake me from my sleep, Then you must do what must be done, For this last battle can’t be won. You will be sad, I understand, Don’t let your grief then stay your hand, For this day more than all the rest Your love and friendship stand the test. We’ve had so many happy years, What is to come will hold no fears, You’ll not want me to suffer, so, When the time comes, please let me go, I know in time you too will see, It is kindness you do to me, Although my tail it’s last has waved, From pain and suffering I’ve been saved, Do not grieve that it should be you, Who has to decide this thing to do, We’ve been so close, we two, these years, Don’t let your heart hold any tears. Thought I was all cried out.... What a beautiful poem thank you so much! I pray to God I still have lots more time with Jade but these words I will read over and over when the time comes. Thank you xxx |
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Post by teri on Apr 26, 2011 9:57:15 GMT
Thankyou Teri I miss Millie every day My daughter had a wonderful set of 3 watercolour paintings done of her for me for christmas and they hang next to the sofa,so she is next to me again I bet you do! What a wonderful gift from your daughter, and a real comfort I'm sure that she is there with you xxx |
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Post by bernie1956 on Apr 26, 2011 10:44:26 GMT
The poem was a huge help to me when I had to make the decision to have my much loved little Scottie Fiona put to sleep...I knew in my heart I had done the right thing, but when her ashes came back with this poem on a card it sort of affirmed it. Like you, it made me weep even more, and I still do whenever I read it, but it is strangely comforting.
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Post by teri on Apr 27, 2011 12:09:07 GMT
Hi guy's, Another tearful night gone by! After seeing vet last night I have decided against amputation, for the amount of extra time it will give her, I would be doing it for me not for her! Apparently this cancer will probably spread quite quickly but I have decided to see a specialist to make sure she gets the best possible treatment and to help keep her pain free until it is her time to leave me. Jade is in fantastic spirits at the moment and helped me feed all the horses this morning. She is my little angel and I am going to make sure her time left is filled with as much fuss as possible. I know I have made the right decision for Jade I just hope she has lots of time left, vet said anywhere from a couple of months to possibly a year so I am holding onto that year with both hands!!
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Post by Summertime on Apr 27, 2011 16:17:17 GMT
hope for you and jade to have a fun filled summer, carry on living, dont think of it as dying xxxxxx
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Things like this are the worst part of owning an animal *hugs*
I miss Millie every day 
